Deal...or No Deal?
 

Been looking for a 350 block to rebuild, seems they are in short supply up here in AK and it cost's an arm & a leg to have one shipped. Well I stumbled across one, but as usual there is a catch: the guy wants to sell me the block BUT it does not go alone... The block is a 350 4 bolt main ( large journal ) it has also had some deck milling done as well as polishing of the intake valley, comes with a large journal 327 crankshaft (steel and not cast), a complete set of corvette " fuelie " 327 large journal steel rods, and a set of 64 cc chevy small block heads, 1.94 intake 1.5 exhaust (The heads are minus the valves),and I think that they are a 462 casting #. Anyhow, the asking price is $700 for the whole package, I only want the block but if the price is right maybe I could turn around and offload the rest...or maybe use these parts? For the price, what do you guys think, Deal...or No Deal?
AK
______________________________
1972 K10 Custom Deluxe 350/350
2008 Suburban LTZ White Diamond
1972 F100 302

"Why Build It If You Can't Drive It?"

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

Doesn't sound like a bad deal. If the camelback heads are the old style without alt holes, they are less desirable. I would check things over good and find out why the work was done and not finished. Personally i try to find complete engines for builders. There is a place called grizzlys towing not real far from you that had some older trucks a few years back. May want to check with them if this deal doesn't pan out. Again, make real sure the parts aren't junk. (cracked heads, bad crank, busted block etc...)

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

Id pass personally and hold off for something alil more complete....no offense to who ever has it but I like to hand select what goes into the engine im building

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

I would pass also,,,there are deals out there to be had just be patient...

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

I really appreciate the input guys, thanks! I only started this "hobby" last September and maybe I would be biting off more than I could chew if I tried piecing together an engine from scratch this soon into the game. Thing is, even though I enjoy getting my hands dirty and jumping into a project with both feet, I am really not keen on throwing away $$. I picked up a Haynes (Chevy) Engine book not too long ago and I will just have to open it up and try to educate myself a bit more on this before buying anything. There is a wealth of info here on the boards and I appreciate your guidance, sure wish we had a few more members up here that I could tap as a resource and learn the ropes from...
AK
______________________________
1972 K10 Custom Deluxe 350/350
2008 Suburban LTZ White Diamond
1972 F100 302

"Why Build It If You Can't Drive It?"

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

For $700 seems like you could buy a whole beater 69-72 truck with a complete 350 in it.

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

Prices are extremely inflated up here. I found a roller the other day, this thing was in rough shape (I have seen similar trucks sell for less than a grand in the lower 48) and yet the guy was asking $2,500. Folks are proud of what they have, they know that you will pay through the nose to get something shipped to Alaska, and they adjust the price accordingly. Anything set low will sell fast so I will just have to keep my eyes open, be patient, and have the $$ ready when I find the right deal.
AK
______________________________
1972 K10 Custom Deluxe 350/350
2008 Suburban LTZ White Diamond
1972 F100 302

"Why Build It If You Can't Drive It?"

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

then next engine I get will be a GM Crate, cant you order them from a dealer there?

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

Hmmm, worst case maybe I order it off the GM website and have it shipped to a dealer up here, then I can take the 350 currently in my 72 and attempt a rebuild. The hard part is selling the Mrs on it, regardless I will research this some more and see what the prices are. How about some feedback...

Has anyone here on the Forums had a GOOD experience with GM Crate Engines...or a BAD experience?

AK
______________________________
1972 K10 Custom Deluxe 350/350
2008 Suburban LTZ White Diamond
1972 F100 302

"Why Build It If You Can't Drive It?"

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

Think about it.. the 700 you would pay for that mound of junk(That's esentially what it is to him now), you could put that $700 towards the Crate motor you are talking about. They are not bad motors at all. There's another place that sells long blocks complete for approx. 11-$1200 and maybe with a couple hundred exra bucks to your door.

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

At least try the dealership first before having the crate motor shipped yourself. They may have a parts shipment coming in they could get it on for free or a negotiated discount rate. They will want your business and might be able to work with you.

I would definably pass on the parts and go for the crate motor myself.

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

loved my crate motors i had in my blazers. if i was gonna do another i woudl swap out the top end for what i wanted . other than that run it and enjoy it. oh and the crate motors can be had for 1200$ or less depending on what/where ya buy. just do a google search and youll find a TON of places offering complete packages ready to roll for good prices.
there are some desirable parts with that engine your looking at but if youve never built one yourself then just go with your idea of buying a complete motor and rebuilding yours.....

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

I would look for a later model 5.7. has the roller cam and one piece rear main seal.

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

only in Texas. AK is $$$

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

As for crate motors, I have had nothing but good luck with GM Performance. Just got done with a Ramjet into a buddie's 68 SWB step. (Will post pics soon.)

If you have no experience building motors, or no one to help show you the ropes, I would lean toward a crate motor if you can swing the $$$, or a 96-99 Vortec 350 out of a wrecked truck with a swapped on carb manifold for less $$$

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

I agree get a Vortec engine used and swap it in. The L31 heads are flow champs stock.

If you really want a modern engine check out the LSx swaps. More work but an even better engine.

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

What year range am I looking for concerning the 5.7? You have been around the block Horn, have any build sheets or threads available? Found a couple salvage yards that I am going to stop by as soon as the temperature gets above zero...
Find those pics yet Wideside? I have yet to hear anything negative about the GM Performance crate motors, though a mechanic I spoke with up here told me if I did purchase one to make sure that it was not built in Mexico, that there may be some defective engines originating there. Now I am not sure where he got his "facts" or if he was just hating :me2: on those folks south of the border. All I want is a quality engine that performs as advertised and I don't care where it is built, anyone have information concerning "defective" crate motors?

I like the Vortec idea, you mentioned that it would be more work, what would that include above and beyond a used 5.7 or a crate engine install?

AK
______________________________
1972 K10 Custom Deluxe 350/350
2008 Suburban LTZ White Diamond
1972 F100 302

"Why Build It If You Can't Drive It?"

Re: Deal...or No Deal?
 

GM Performance crate motors are great for the money...and warranty